With intense interest God is looking on
this world. He has noted the capacity of human beings for service.
Looking down the ages, He has counted His workers, both men and
women, and has prepared the way before them, saying: "I
will send My messengers to them, and they shall see great light
shining amid the darkness. Won to the service of Christ, they
will use their talents to the glory of My name. They will go
forth to work for Me with zeal and devotion. Through their efforts
the truth will appeal to thousands in a most forcible manner,
and men spiritually blind will receive sight and will see of
My salvation. Truth will be made so prominent that he who runs
may read. Ways will be devised to reach hearts. Some of the methods
used in this work will be different from the methods used in
the past, but let no one, because of this, block the way by criticism."
Those whom God chooses as workers are not
always talented, in the estimation of the world. Sometimes He
selects unlearned men. To these He gives a special work. They
reach a class to whom others could not obtain access. Opening
the heart to the truth, they are made wise in and through Christ.
Their lives inhale and exhale the fragrance of godliness. Their
words are thoughtfully considered before they are spoken. They
strive to promote the well-being of their fellow men. They take
relief and happiness to the needy and distressed. They realize
the necessity of ever remaining under Christ's training, that
they may work in harmony with God's will. They study how best
to follow the Saviour's example of cross bearing and self-denial. They are God's witnesses,
revealing His compassion and love, and ascribing all the glory
to Him whom they love and serve.
Constantly they are learning of the Great
Teacher, and constantly they reach higher degrees of excellence,
yet all the time feeling a sense of their weakness and inefficiency.
They are drawn upward by their strong, loving admiration for
Christ. They practice His virtues; for their life is assimilated
to His. Ever they move onward and upward, a blessing to the world
and an honor to their Redeemer. Of them Christ says: "Blessed
are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth." Matthew
5:5.
Such workers are to be encouraged. Their
work is done, not to be seen of men, but to glorify God. And
it will bear His inspection. The Lord brings these workers into
connection with those of more marked ability, to fill the gaps
they leave. He is well pleased when they are appreciated, for
they are links in His chain of service.
Men who are self-important, who are filled
with the thought of their own superior abilities, overlook these
humble, contrite workers; but not for one moment does God lose
sight of them. He marks all that they do to help those in need
of help. In the heavenly courts, when the redeemed are gathered
home, they will stand nearest the Son of God. They will shine
brightly in the courts of the Lord, honored by Him because they
have felt it an honor to minister to those for whom He gave His
life.
God will move upon men in humble positions
to declare the message of present truth. Many such will be seen
hastening hither and thither, constrained by the Spirit of God
to give the light to those in darkness. The truth is as a fire in their bones, filling them with
a burning desire to enlighten those who sit in darkness. Many,
even among the uneducated, will proclaim the word of the Lord.
Children will be impelled by the Holy Spirit to go forth to declare
the message of heaven. The Spirit will be poured out upon those
who yield to His promptings. Casting off man's binding rules
and cautious movements, they will join the army of the Lord.
In the future, men in the common walks
of life will be impressed by the Spirit of the Lord to leave
their ordinary employment and go forth to proclaim the last message
of mercy. As rapidly as possible they are to be prepared for
labor, that success may crown their efforts. They co-operate
with heavenly agencies, for they are willing to spend and be
spent in the service of the Master. No one is authorized to hinder
these workers. They are to be bidden Godspeed as they go forth
to fulfill the great commission. No taunting word is to be spoken
of them as in the rough places of the earth they sow the gospel
seed.
Life's best things--simplicity, honesty,
truthfulness, purity, unsullied integrity--cannot be bought or
sold; they are as free to the ignorant as to the educated, to
the black man as to the white man, to the humble peasant as to
the king upon his throne. Humble workers, who do not trust in
their own strength, but who labor in simplicity, trusting always
in God, will share in the joy of the Saviour. Their persevering
prayers will bring souls to the cross. In co-operation with their
self-sacrificing efforts Jesus will move upon hearts, working
miracles in the conversion of souls. Men and women will be gathered
into church fellowship. Meetinghouses will
be built and schools established. The hearts of the workers will
be filled with joy as they see the salvation of God.
When the redeemed stand in the presence
of God, they will see how shortsighted were their conclusions
as to what heaven records as success. As they review their efforts
to achieve success they will see how foolish were their plans,
how petty their supposed trials, how unreasonable their doubts.
They will see how often they brought failure to their work by
not taking God at His word. And one truth will stand out in clear
lines: that position does not prepare a man for entrance into
the heavenly courts. They will see, too, that the honor given
to man is due to God alone, that to Him belongs all the glory.
From the lips of the angelic choir and the redeemed host will
peal forth the chorus: "Great and marvelous are Thy works,
Lord God Almighty; just and true are Thy ways, Thou King of saints.
Who shall not fear Thee, O Lord, and glorify Thy name? for Thou
only art holy." Revelation 15:3, 4.